News
Kivuitu in crisis talks over calls to disband
Former UN chief Kofi Annan (left), and chairman of the Independent Review Commission Justice Johann Kriegler arrive at Serena hotel in Nairobi on Thursday Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI
In Summary
- Politicians, religious leaders, lawyers and NGO activists unanimous the electoral commissioners should be removed.
- Mudavadi led leaders and lawyers in calling for President Kibaki to set up a tribunal to investigate the ECK
- Mr Annan arrived in the country on Thursday to receive the report, due to be released to the public today.
The Electoral Commission Thursday went into a crisis meeting as pressure mounted for its disbandment following the Kriegler report.
The Independent Review Commission chaired by Justice Johann Kriegler on Wednesday presented its final report to President Kibaki blaming the Electoral Commission for mismanaging the 2007 General Election and recommending its replacement.
Electoral commissioners under chairman Samuel Kivuitu went into a four-hour meeting at their offices after President Kibaki received the report and promised it will go before the next Cabinet meeting.
On Thursday, politicians, religious leaders, lawyers and NGO activists were unanimous that the electoral commissioners should be removed.
Electoral commissioners are, however, protected by security of tenure and cannot be sacked unless found guilty of wrongdoing by a tribunal.
An ECK member, Mr Jack Tumwa, who spoke from Kakamega, said electoral commissioners were not afraid of ECK being overhauled. He also said the Kriegler recommendations were not new.
“A lot of the recommendations are not new…we have talked about it in Bomas and other forums but what is lacking is implementation,” Mr Tumwa said.
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi led leaders and lawyers in calling for President Kibaki to set up a tribunal to investigate the ECK if the commissioners failed to resign.
Adding to the calls for a speedy implementation of the commission’s report was former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan who mediated the power-sharing agreement.
Mr Annan arrived in the country on Thursday to receive the report, which is due to be released to the public today.
On Thursday, Mr Kivuitu led his team in analysing the report as leaders and lawyers proposed that they resign immediately to pave the way for urgent reforms.
Heads of 24 diplomatic missions in Nairobi backed implementation of the Kriegler Report. “We believe it is important therefore that the recommendations are speedily implemented. We welcome the President’s and Prime Minister’s support for the commission and their call for full implementation of the recommendations.”
Law clear on report
The diplomats said Kenyans deserved an electoral system they can have full confidence in.
Mr Mudavadi said the law was clear on how the recommendations in the Kriegler Report can be implemented.
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There is no crisis here. And we don't need the coaltion government doctoring the two reports either. Its in simple PLAIN ENGLISH....all these politicians talking neeed to step up and let the big two handle the next phase. Too much unsoliciated advice flying around... where were they in January?
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Another day gone by. And Kivuitu - the object of Kenyans' collective loathing and anger still continues to laugh all the way to the bank. Does Kivuitu have any conscience, or does he think his greed for money will blind Kenyans in their unquenched thirst to see Kivuitu pay for his sins? Kivuitu should resign and check himself into the nearest prison!
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The blood of the Kenyans who lost their lives is crying on Kivuitu's head and his advisors and of course Kibaki, Gicheru, Michuki, Wako and their team for behaving mugabe not caring who had won. Before the judgement seat on the last day, the media will be allowed to cover and report everything and our shameless leaders will be doomed forever lest they ask for apology, repent truely and humble, their generations are under a curse.
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